Committee advances HB 2671 after amendment to require DCS kinship searches and monthly reports
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Summary
House Bill 2671, which would expand mandated consideration and notification of extended family and persons with a significant relationship when children enter foster care, was advanced by the committee with a major sponsor amendment requiring Department of Child Safety (DCS) documentation every 30 days for six months and other changes.
The House Government Committee adopted an amendment and returned House Bill 2671 as amended with a due pass recommendation after hearing sponsors, kinship advocates and Department of Child Safety staff.
Representative Fink, sponsor of the bill, and committee members argued that children fare better when placed with relatives or extended family rather than non‑relative foster homes. The amendment in Representative Fink’s name (a 15‑page amendment dated Feb. 10) requires DCS to file specified documentation with the court at least every 30 days for a minimum of six months, adds extended relatives and persons with a significant relationship to the child to lists of people the department must notify, and specifies that kinship foster homes be included among placement options.
Multiple witnesses spoke in favor of expanding and prioritizing kinship placements. Morgan Butters, a nonprofit director and foster/adoptive parent, and Hanika (Anika) Robinson described personal experiences in which extended family were not timely notified or considered; both said kinship placements reduce trauma and improve educational and social stability. The committee also heard from Chris Gustafson of the Department of Child Safety, who described practical challenges in locating kin and the agency’s current practices: DCS begins with immediate relatives and, when necessary, contracts with search firms but can be limited by common names and incomplete records. Gustafson said DCS aims to increase kinship placement rates (he referenced a goal of roughly 70 percent kinship placement) but faces obstacles including family dynamics, poverty and safety concerns.
Committee members discussed potential federal funding consequences. Representative Stahl Hamilton and others asked whether changing the statutory best‑interest language or placing a prioritization on kinship placements could affect Title IV‑E federal foster care funding; DCS staff said the state must remain compatible with federal best‑interest requirements to receive foster‑care reimbursement but did not say the amendment would necessarily break those rules. Members sought additional clarification on placements involving caregivers with criminal histories and on ways to ensure kin placements are safe and appropriately supported.
The committee adopted Representative Fink’s amendment by voice vote and then returned HB 2671 as amended with a due pass recommendation. The roll call showed four ayes and three nays.
Votes at a glance: HB 2671 (as amended) — Motion: return with due pass recommendation; outcome: due pass recommendation; committee tally: 4 ayes, 3 nays.